I need some advice on how to steer our daughter.
By way of background: Our DD, age 16, is really talented. (I know, whose isn’t? 
Vocally, she is very strong. She has a wide range and a very unique tone to her voice. She can mimic Adele and Kristin Chenoweth credibly, as an example. She is in the accelerated chorus program and can do operatic arias fairly well but is an alto. Additionally, she is also a gifted comedic actress–good with accents, character sketches etc. She is witty, quick and very funny. She is also creative in many ways–a strong writer, artist etc and cute and petite and very likable as an actress.
In term of dancing, we are getting there. She is not particularly limber. She is not great with choreography–but she moves nicely. She is really just starting to dance but she can get by in auditions. She has not done much outside theater–but has been the lead of our very competitive HS program even as a young performer, she beat out seniors etc because vocally and as an actress, she is really strong. She is a good student but she has learning disabilities so she is not likely to do well on her SATs–but her GPA is close to a 3.5. She works SO hard and has a great attitude.
I am trying to figure out where/how to steer her.
She LOVES MT, so it seems like that’s what we should be pursuing. She is in all day program and has enough coaching that we can go that route. However when I talk with her, I am just not sure that her calling is necessarily to be on Broadway. Or even to be a performer. She herself is not sure–she fears the starving artist route.
I guess what I am trying to figure out is this: If you have a very unique talent, should you exploit that talent to get into school? Is getting into school for MT just impossible? If her goal is to go to a “good” school and figure herself out, is the MT route even worth pursuing?
Any advice you can provide would be appreciated. She is doing a precollege this summer so we can figure out if she would even enjoy a conservatory type of program.
If she is unsure you might want to check out a BA program. There are some “good” schools that offer that option.
Start here and look for updates on the programs. http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/musical-theater-major/1335445-big-list-of-mt-colleges-by-program-type-p1.html
There’s also a list by state if location matters.
I would say that there needs to be talent AND commitment. It doesn’t matter how much talent is there if your daughter is not 100% (or more) committed to pursuing this in the future. Though it doesn’t sound like talent is a factor, I think the flip-side is correct also.
I like the idea of the BA route… she will get gen-ed classes which will be helpful if she decides to change majors. And if she decides to “go for it” then it sounds like most schools will have supplemental resources in the community (for a fee) so that she can keep up with the BFA students.
@Twins2018, as a parent of a child who is auditioning this year, I’d say, let your daughter show you the way.
It sounds like your D is very talented and passionate, but as others have said, it is up to her if she wants to pursue it. My own D didn’t decide she wanted to do this as a career until she was 16 and once her mind was made up, she had a level of commitment to her academic and artistic pursuits that was a joy for a parent to watch.
It’s good she’s trying something intensely this summer. And it’s great that you are steering her towards resources for performance. My hunch is that after this summer, the path will become a little more clear
I agree with @TexasMTDad; most important is the combination of her talent and commitment. Her summer program will hopefully give her a sense of what a collegiate environment is like – so she can test the waters and see if it is to her liking. Clearly your D has a lot of talents so in addition to MT, she can consider Acting, Vocal Performance and perhaps other majors too. Best of fortune to your D in whatever route she chooses.
Thank you so much for not just answering, but doing so with kindness and common sense. You are absolutely right on two fronts:
- This summer will be eye opening for us both and
- A BA may be the best of both worlds.
Thank you!!!